Palestra may host 2013 CAA tournament

Since joining the Colonial Athletic Association in 2001, Drexel University has traveled south on I-95 to the Richmond Coliseum to compete in the CAA men’s basketball conference championship. That might change in 2013.

Virginia Commonwealth has hosted the tournament since 1990, but the school is bolting the CAA for the Atlantic 10 beginning this fall. The contract with the Richmond Coliseum runs until 2014, but sources tell me the CAA is looking into other options, including the historic Palestra just two blocks away from Drexel’s home gym.

The Palestra has not hosted a conference tournament since 1995, when the Atlantic 10 finished a seven-year run at the gym located on the University of Pennsylvania campus. I’m told Drexel has a decent shot at landing the tournament, which would represent a huge change for Bruiser Flint’s team, expected to be one of the league’s favorites again this season.

The Virginia schools have certainly taken advantage of the CAA tournament in Richmond.  The last non–Virginia school to win the title was UNC-Wilmington in 2006. I’m told Atlantic City and Baltimore are also being considered.  A decision should be made soon.

Email Neil Hartman at nhartman@comcastsportsnet.com.